The internationalization of higher education is a strategic imperative for India. The NEP 2020 provides a transformative framework — allowing foreign universities to establish campuses in India, enabling Indian institutions to operate abroad, and welcoming international students at scale.
India’s education system has unique strengths: rigorous curricula, talented faculty, low costs, English-medium instruction, and a vast pool of internationally competitive students. Yet, we attract only 50,000 international students, compared to China’s 500,000.
To unlock our potential, we need bold action: simplifying visa processes for students and faculty, recognizing foreign credentials with clear pathways, creating excellence ecosystems around lighthouse universities, and investing in research infrastructure that attracts global talent.
The IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus, IIM-Ahmedabad’s global partnerships, and the joint degree programs are positive examples. The next decade can see Indian universities truly global in scope, quality, and impact.